Patent US5545977A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5774237A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5774237A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Image reading apparatus
Assignee: Sharp Corp
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Filing: 1995-07-10
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Granted: 1998-06-30
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Expires: 2015-07-10
Abstract
Abstract An image reading apparatus is for reading a document such as a book from above with the target faces thereof placed upwardly. The apparatus allows for correction of distortions of the image, without relying on the background color of the target faces of the document. An image processing device detects the boundary between the document and a document-guiding device (the document edge) on the basis of the image read by the image reading device and corrects distortions of the image with reference to the detected boundary.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuyuki Nako
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:29
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/04; H04N1/10; H04N1/1013; H04N1/047; H04N1/19; H04N1/191; H04N1/192; H04N1/193; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/024; H04N2201/02406; H04N2201/02425; H04N2201/028; H04N2201/03; H04N2201/031; H04N2201/03104; H04N2201/0315; H04N2201/03162; H04N2201/04; H04N2201/0402; H04N2201/0434; H04N2201/0436; H04N2201/047; H04N2201/04701; H04N2201/04703; H04N2201/04729; H04N2201/04734; H04N2201/04737; H04N2201/04753; H04N2201/04758; H04N2201/04787; H04N2201/04789; H04N2201/04791
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
An image reading apparatus, comprising: image reading means for reading an image of a document from above; document-guiding means for positioning the document longitudinally by contacting an edge of the document; detection means for detecting a boundary between the document and the document-guiding means based on the image read by the image reading means; height operating means for calculating height of the document based on the boundary detection; image processing means for correcting the image to create a nearly distortion-free image by magnification-reduction; and determination means for determining brightness of the document proximate to the detected boundary, wherein the document-guiding means includes means for varying brightness of a surface of the document-guiding means contacting the document based upon the determination by the determination means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
An image reading apparatus, comprising: image reading means for reading an image of a document from above; document-guiding means for positioning the document longitudinally by contacting an edge of the document; detection means for detecting a boundary between the document and the document-guiding means based on the image read by the image reading means; height operating means for calculating height of the document based on the boundary detection; image processing means for correcting the image to create a nearly distortion-free image by magnification-reduction; and determination means for determining brightness of the document proximate to the detected boundary, wherein the document-guiding means includes means for varying brightness of a surface of the document-guiding means contacting the document based upon the determination by the determination means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for varying the brightness includes a liquid crystal shutter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for varying the brightness includes a screen and a light source located behind the screen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for varying the brightness includes a liquid crystal display unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document-guiding means includes an indication indicating a location at which a center of each document is to be placed on the surface of the document-guiding means contacting the document.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The image reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image reading means includes a line sensor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The image reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for varying brightness varies brightness so as to increase a difference in brightness between the surface of the document guiding means and the document.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
An image reading method comprising the steps of; positioning a document by contacting an edge of the document with a surface of a document guide; transmitting light from the surface of the document guide; detecting an edge of the document; determining brightness of the document proximate to the detected edge; changing a brightness of the light transmitted from the surface of the document guide based upon the determined brightness; and reading the document.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
An image reading method comprising the steps of; positioning a document by contacting an edge of the document with a surface of a document guide; transmitting light from the surface of the document guide; detecting an edge of the document; determining brightness of the document proximate to the detected edge; changing a brightness of the light transmitted from the surface of the document guide based upon the determined brightness; and reading the document.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The image reading method of claim 8, wherein the step of reading includes scanning the document with a line sensor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The image reading method of claim 8, wherein said step of transmitting light comprises transmitting light from a light source located behind the surface of the document guide, the surface of the document guide being a screen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The image reading method of claim 8, wherein the surface of the document guide comprises a liquid crystal shutter which transmits light.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The image reading method of claim 8, wherein the surface of the document guide comprises a liquid crystal display unit which transmits light.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
73 words
An image reading apparatus, comprising; scanning means for scanning a document; document guiding means, having a surface which contacts an edge of the document, for positioning the document; detecting means for detecting the edge of the document; and determination means for determining brightness of the document proximate to the detected edge, the surface of said document guiding means transmitting light, a brightness of the transmitted light being variable based upon the determined brightness.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
73 words
An image reading apparatus, comprising; scanning means for scanning a document; document guiding means, having a surface which contacts an edge of the document, for positioning the document; detecting means for detecting the edge of the document; and determination means for determining brightness of the document proximate to the detected edge, the surface of said document guiding means transmitting light, a brightness of the transmitted light being variable based upon the determined brightness.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The image reading apparatus of claim 13, wherein said scanning means includes a line sensor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The image reading apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the surface of said document guiding means comprises a liquid crystal shutter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The image reading apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the surface of said document guiding means is a screen and said document guiding means further comprises a light source located behind the screen.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The image reading apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the surface of said document guiding means comprises a liquid crystal display unit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
The image reading apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the surface of said document guiding means includes an indication indicating a location at which a center of each document is to be placed along the surface of said document guiding means contacting the document.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-06-29 | 2001-12-29 | 2002-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-29 | 2005-12-29 | 2006-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-29 | 2009-12-29 | 2010-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |